The Cathedral of S. Maria Maggiore, (Il Duomo). This is a very attractive building. There is considerable Cosmatesque work (geometrical floor mosaics) both inside and out. These patterns were created in the Middle Ages from thin slices cut from colored marble and columns left in the ancient ruins. The name derives from a Roman family, the Cosmati, who did this sort of work. Similar Cosmati floors can be found in Rome, Anagni and Spoleto. The high altar is made out of a sarcophagus of the 3rd or 4th century. The ancient crypt is fascinating, having several different types of marble pillar, and the old sacristy is also worth viewing. Outside, the effect of the beautiful portico, dating back to 1210, is somewhat spoilt by the fence that protects it.
The cathedral's crypt
The fortress (Forte Sangallo). This fortress was built by Pope Alexander VI and completed by Julius II with the erection of the octagonal keep. It's an excellent example of military architecture and is still very well preserved. In the early 19th Century it served as the main prison for northern Lazio and became known as the Papal Bastille as it confined many Italian patriots.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Civita Castellana
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Civita Castellana - updated May 2024
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Civita Castellana Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
